Roof connection for vent-pipes.



No. 841,274. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. G. I. RYAN.

ROOF CONNECTION FOR VENT PIPES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.21. 1905.

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PATENTEI) JAN. 15, 1907.

G. 1. RYAN. ROOF CONNECTION FOR VENT PIPES.

APPLICATION IILED'AUG.21, 1905.

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GEORGE F. RYAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ROOF CONNECTION FOR VENT-PIPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

Continuation of application Serial No, 97,270, filed Iliarch 8. 1902.This application filed August 21, 1905. Serial No. 275.177.

To (all whm'n, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. RYAN, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of the'borough of Manhattan, in the city,county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Roof Connections for Vent- Pipes, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improved roof connections for sewer and closetvent-pipes of buildings; and the object of the invention is to produce aconnection of this character which will prevent the terminal or outletend of the pipe from freezing in cold weather or in cold climates.

This application is a continuation of an earlier application bearingSerial No. 97,270, filed March 8, 1902.

It has been a common practice heretofore to extend the outlet ends ofsuch vent-pipes a distance beyond the roof-line of from eighteen totwenty-four inches. Serious objection to this construction has beenfound to existnamely, that during the cooler seasons or in a coldclimate the outlet end of the pipe becomes clogged by particles of frostor ice forming therein, such accumulations sometimes entirely closingthe end of the pipe and cutting off ventilation therethrough. In orderto prevent the terminal ends of said vent-pipes from closing in coldweather, I propose to terminate the vent-pipe closely adjacent to theroof-line end within the effective area of the influence of the heatbeneath the roof and to so construct the roof immediately adjacent tothe exposed end of the vent-pipe as to facilitate the conduction of theheat beneath the roof to the outlet or exposed end of the vent-pipe, andthereby prevent accumulation of frost and ice at said outlet end of thepipe. The warmer air of a building rises to the higher part thereoftowit, the space beneath the roofand the temperature of the warmer air isordinarily ample in the construction proposed-to heat the exposed end ofthe vent-pipe sufiiciently to prevent the formation of frost and icetherein during cold weather. In case the natural heat of the building isnot sufiicient for the purpose mentioned, as when the building isloosely or openly constructed, it may be supplemented by artificialheat. By the phrase within the effective area of the influence of theheat beneath the roof is meant that the terminal of the vent-pipe is socloseto the roof-line that the ordinary or a predetermined temperatureof the air beneath the roof will prevent the terminal from being closedduring cold weather by frost or ice.

I have shown in the drawings one practical means of carrying myinvention into effect, illustrating a numb er of modifications thereof.

As shown in'the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through agravel roof, showing a vent-pipe extending therethrough provided with myimproved connection. Fig. 2 is .a plan view of the parts shown inFig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a modification wherein the thin roof-section isformed an integral part of the terminal section of the vent-pipe. Fig. tillustrates the application of my improvements to a pitch or slantingroof. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate means of applying artificial heat to thepipe to supplement the natural heat of the building.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, A designates a fiat gravelroof or common construction supported on rafters or joist B. Cdesignates the outlet or terminal section of a sewer and closetvent-pipe stack, and C represents a revent opening thereinto. The roof Ais provided with an outlet-opening A for the pipe C, said opening beingmade of larger diameter than the exterior diameter of the pipe. If, forexample, the diameter of the upper end of the pipe be eight inches, thediameter of the opening A will desirably be in the neighborhood oftwenty inches, thereby leaving between the pipe and the roof proper anannular opening about six inches in width. The pipe preferably extends ashort distance beyond the roof-line. This annular opening is covered, asshown in Fig. 1, by a sheet-metal plate D, preferably lead, which issuitably attached at its outer margin to the roof. The plate is shown asmade circular and is provided with a central opening. The margin of theplate around said central opening is turned downwardly into the open endof the pipe to form a circular flange d, which fits closely in saidpipe. In order to insure a tight oint between the said fiange ofsheet-metal plate and pipe, a-narrow calking-ring is inserted into saidflange and rests on an upwardly-facing interior shoulder formed byenlarging the pipe, as shown in Fig. 1, and between said calking-ringand said flange of the sheet-metal plate is formed in a familiar mannerasuitable calked joint. It will be seen, therefore, that the section ofthe roof immediately surrounding or adjacent to the pipe 0 consists ofthe metal plate D and that said metal plate is made so thin that thenatural heat of the building passes readily therethrough, so as tomaintain the upper exposed end of the terminal section of the pipe whichis closely adjacent thereto in a condition to prevent the formation ofice and frost. As herein shown, the outer margin of the plate isattached to the roof by means of a clamping-ring E, applied over themargin of thesaid plate, and clamping-bolts E, extending through theplate and through the roof. Preferably the bolts pass at their lowerends through a companion ring E, located beneath the roof. In order toprevent the rain flowing into the pipe from the roof, said pipe isextended a slight distance beyond the roof-line, and the sheet-plate Dis inclined outwardly therefrom and constitutes a shed which slants inall directions from the pipe.

In Fig. 3 the pipe C is shown as provided with an integral flange Gwhich takes the place of the sheet-metal plate D above described, saidflange being made of sufficient diameter to bridge the opening A in theroof.

and adapted to be attached at its outer margin to the roof in anysuitable manner, as by bolts. The said flange is tapered from its marginupwardly toward the end of the pipe, thereby constituting an inclinedshed, which extends above the roof line to prevent the entrance of waterfrom the roof to said pipe.

In Fig. 4 I have shown my improvement as applied to a pitch or slantingroof. As shown in said figure, C designates the upper section orterminal of the vent-pipe which. extends through anopening F in theroof,

said opening being made larger than the pipe,

as in the construction before described. G designates a sheetmetal'plate which covers the opening F between the roof and the pipe andis provided in line with the pipe with. a central opening. Said plate isattached at its margin to the sheathing f of the roof, and the marginthereof around the central opening is turned downwardly to form a flangeg, which fits within and overlaps the upper end of the pipe CA'calking-ring F fits within said flange, between which and the flangeis formed a calked joint to prevent the escape of gas between the flangeg and said pipe. Said upper end of the pipe is cut at such angle thatthe side of the pipe nearest the gable is longer than the lower side.The lower side of the pipe C is located at the roof-line, while theupper. side thereof extends somewhat above the same. The plate G isformed between the upper or larger side of the pipe and the roof toconstitute a shed to prevent the entrance of water from the roof to thepipe. Said shed is not required at the lower or shorter side of thepipe,for the reason that water does not tend to enter the same at thisplace. The sheet-metal plate G is desirably made square in plan view,and the upper margin thereof is inserted below a course of between thesame and the sheathing f. The

lower end of the plate is provided with an overhan ing lip g, which isadapted to overlap the flrst course f of the shingles below said plate.The plate is attached to the roof by means of bolts f, which extendtherethrough and through rings f on the upper and lower sides of theroof in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 1 before described.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated means for supplying artificial heataround the terminal of the vent-pipe just beneath the roof. In thesefigures the construction of the terminal pipe, the plate, and the roofare similar to those shown in Fig. 1 and bear like reference-letters.The means for supplying such artificial heat (shown in Fig. 5) consistsof a closed drum H, fixed around thepipe C in any suitable manner. Saiddrum communicates at its lower end with a pipe H, which leads from aregister H located in the ceiling I of a room below the spaceimmediately beneath the roof. The drum is provided near its upper end,in the side wall thereof, with a vent-opening h. The drum H may be incommunication, through pipes H with registers H located in severaloeilings of a building, whereby should the upper rooms of the buildingnot be occupied the warmer air from the lower occupied rooms may bedirected to the space around. the terminal for the purpose of heatingthe air.

Vfith this construction the heated air of the room or rooms below thespace beneath the roof passes through the pipe H to the drum H and heatsthe area surrounding the pipe below the plate D.

In Fig. 6 the drum H is replaced by a coil or pipe j, surrounding theterminal pipe C. Said coil is provided with an induction-pipe J and aneduction-pipe J which latter discharges into the pipe C, as hereinshown. A heating mediumsuch as steam, heated air, or wateris adapted tobe circulated through the coil J, and thereby heat the air surroundingsaid pipe just beneath the roof. The artificial heating means willusually be provided in buildings where the attic space, locatedimmediately beneath the roof, is somewhat open to the atmosphere,whereby the same may at times be below the freezing temperature. In casethe building be made air-tight and is occupied the natural heat of thebuilding will ordinarily be sufficient to produce the necessary heat tokeep the .end of the vent-pipe suitably warm, and in such case theartificial heating means will not be required. In the use ofsaidartificial heating it will be noticed that said means is employed toheat the air surrounding the upper end of the terminal pipe and tothereby supplement in an artificial manner the natural heat of thebuilding.

TOO

ITO

The advantages arising from the use of the connection described may beunderstood from a consideration of the following: In the winter seasonsand in cold climates the ends of exposed sewer and closet vent-pipeswhen projected a distance beyond the roof be come clogged by frost andice, and thereby cut off ventilation therethrough. The lower ends ofsuch ventrpipes are in communication with the street-sewers andventilate not only the plumbing of the building in which they arelocated, but also the streetsewers. During cold weather when the outletends of the vent-pipes are closed by frost and ice it often occurs thatthe manholes of the street-sewers are also closed and sealed byfreezing. In this condition it is obvious that gas generated in thesewer or finding its way thereinto must accumulate in the street-sewerand the vent-pipes communicating therewith of'the adjacent buildingunder some pressure, and will therefore tend to escape through thecloset, sink, and bath-tub connections into the buildings, and therebyrender the same unhealthful and unfit for tenancy. Moreover, suchaccumulation of the gas in the closet ventpipes is exceedinglydangerous, as said gas is highly explosive, the explosion of a volume ofgas-filling the building sewer system being sufficient to wreck thebuilding and endanger the lives of the tenants. Furthermore, it oftenoccurs that illuminatinggas from leaking gas-mains finds its way intothe sewer and in case of stoppage of the communicating vent-pipes andmanholes in the manner set forth greatly increases the danger occasionedby the pressure of gas in the building ventpipes.- The improved roofconnection herein shown acts effectively to keep the outlet ends of thecloset and sewer vent-pipes open and prevents the accumulation of seweror other gas in the house-pipes. Not only are the house-pipes thoroughlyventilated, but the ventilation extends to the street-sewer, so thatescape is always afforded for gas which collects in the street-sewer,thereby preventing blowing out of manholecovers and the attendant dangerthereof.

It is obvious that structural changes may be made in the severalconstructions described without departing from the spirit of myinvention, and Ido not wish to be limited thereto except as hereinaftermade the subject of specific claims.

I claim 1. A roof connection for vent-pipes comprising, in combinationwith a. roof having an opening, a terminal or outlet section whichextends through said opening, and terminating closely adjacent to theroof-line, and means for providing a joint between the end of saidterminal and the roof comprising a roof-section located principally atthe roof plane and through which the pipe discharges, said roof-sectionbridging the space between the open outer end of the pipe and the marginof the roof-opening and being made so thin as to facilitate theconduction of heat beneath the roof to the end of said terminal andprevent the formation of ice and frost in said terminal, saidroof-section risingfrom the plane of the roof to the upper end ofthepipe and meeting the same at an angle so as to afford a shed to preventthe passage of water from the roof to the pipe.

2. In a roof connection for vent-pipes, the combination with a roofprovided with an outlet-opening for the vent-pipe, and a pipe extendingthrough said opening, said opening being made larger than said pipe, ofa sheet-metal plate forming part of the roof which extends across theopening and is pro- Vided with an opening, the margins of which areconnected with the margin of the open outer end of the pipe, said platebeing attached at its margin to the roof and rising from the plane ofthe roof to the edge of the open end of said pipe and meeting the latterat an angle, and the margin of the plate around the opening thereinbeing turned downwardly and extending into the end of the pipe to form atight joint.

3. n a roof connection for ventipes, the combination with a roof providewith an outward opening for the vent-pipe and a pipe extending throughsaid opening, said opening being made larger than the pipe, a sheetmetalplate forming part of said roof and bridging the opening between theroof and the open end of the pipe and said platerising from the plane ofthe roof to the end of the pipe and being provided with an opening andthe margins of the plate around said opening being turned downwardly toform a flan e which extends into and fits close within said open end ofthe pipe and a rigid calking-ring inserted within said downturned flangeand acting to clamp the said flange against the inner surface of thepipe.

4. In a roof connection for vent-pipes, the combination with a roofprovided with an outlet-opening for the vent-pipe, and a pipe extendingthrough said opening, said opening being made larger than the pipe, of athin sheet-metal plate forming part of said roof, said plate being flatat its outer margin and rising from the said outer margin to the openupper edge of the pipe, a rigid ring overlying the outer flat margin ofsaid plate, a fastening device extending through said ring and plate toclamp said plate' to the roof.

5. A roof connection for vent-pipes comprising in combination with aroof having an opening and provided with a roof-section covering saidopening, a terminal or outlet section which discharges through the roofsection, the o ening in the roof being made considerably arger than thesaid terminal and the roof-section bridging the space between the pipe,and the margin of the opening in the roof, said pipe terminating soclose to the roof-level and the roof-section being so thin as tofacilitate the conduction of heat from beneath the roof to the outer endof said terminal, whereby when the air above the roof is cooler thanthat beneath the roof, said heat beneath the roof is conducted to theouter end of the terminal to prevent the formation of frost or icetherein, and means for supplementing the heat of the building toincrease the temperature of the'space around the pipe beneath the roofconsisting of a tube which surrounds the upper part of the pipe andcommunicates with a source supplying a heat-conducting medium.

6. The article described for connecting the GEORGE F. RYAN.

Witnesses:

F. W. BARKER, NAT. B. CHAnsEY.

